EPA, which has the status of an international organization, is located in Porto-Novo, Benin. It is a postgraduate university institution, specializing in the preservation and promotion of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It trains heritage professionals from 26 sub-Saharan African countries. 

The School's mission is first in the conservation, management and mediation of African museums. EPA then diversified its activities by targeting libraries and archives, then immovable and intangible cultural heritage.

Since its creation in 1998, EPA has trained more than 1200 African heritage professionals, edited 4 exhibitions, organized one international conference, published more than 50 reports, one newsletter, the proceedings of one conference, two tourism guides and 10 Web sites, and carried out 4 surveys.

EPA is a self-financed institution which receives support from a variety of funders.